Sash-balance



(No Mode.) 2 Sheets- Sheet 1.

R. K. BROWN.

SASH BALANCE.

N5. 555,559. Patented M51.17. 1595.

f ci f e ldi umm

2 sheetssheet 2.

(No Model.) I R. K. BROWN.

` SASH BALANCE. No. 556,659. Patented Mar. .17, 1896.

llllllll l B l i l l i UNITED STATES PATENT einen.

. ROBERT K. BROW'N, `OF lVlllTINSVILLE, MASSAIIUSETTS.

SAS H-BALANCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 556,659, dated March 17,1896.

Application tiled October 10, 1895. Serial No. 565,281` (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that l, ROBERT K. BROWN ,a citizen of the United States, residing at "hitinsville, in the county of Voreester, in the Sta-te of Bilassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sash-Balances, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in sash-balances, such as shown in Letters Patent of the 4United States, granted to me December 5, 1893, No. 510,154, adapted for use in connection. with window-sashes for the purpose of facilitating the raising and lowering of the window-sash, as well as preventing the rattling of the sash by wind or other means, and rnyiniiprovements are applicable to various kinds of window-sashes, though they are particularly applicable to sash-balances to be used on car-windows.

As is well known, the wood of which window frames and sashes are usually made is often iinperfectly seasoned, and for this reason the sash and frames frequently shrink, so that they become loose and rattle in the wind, and on cars they rattle both from the jarring inotion of the car and from the action of the wind.

The chief objects of my invention are not only to eeetively provide against the objectionable rattling of the sash and to secure easy control of the window when raising' or lowering the saine, but also to provide a simple, economically constructed, and effective sash-balance in which the parts are compactly and neatly arranged and in which the balance, when in operative position, is entirely hid from view with the exception only of the locking or unlocking lever-arm.

Hy objects are, further, to improve the construction of sash-balances of the character referred to, and my invention consists in the novel construction and details thereof, as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a vertical sectional elevation of part of a window-frame, showing the preferred form of my sash-balance in position. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the sash-balance, window-frame, and window-sash shown in Fig. l.. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional plan view of the construetion shown in Fig. l. Fig. 4t is a rear elevation of the saslrbalanee as illustrated in Fig.

l. Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of a modification of the spring-barrel. Fig.. (j is a inedificd form of the sash-engaging device. Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of a modification hereinafter referred to.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar reference characters refer to corresponding parts in all the views, the letter A indicates the vertical stile of the window-sash, and B t-he vertical stile of the window-frame, against which are secured the usual retainin g-strips V, between which the vertical edges of the window are held and move.

In Figs. .l to 4; there is an outer casing inclosing the spring-barrel F,the latter of which in its preferred form is made of a single piece of cupshaped metal, from the closed side of which projects the spin dlc P, rotatably .mounted in the hub T, projecting inwardly from the inclosing-case E of the springbarrel. The closed side of the spring-barrel is also provided with an annular projection q, fitting a corresponding recess in the projecting iiange D on one side of the shell or casting C, whereby the said barrel may be readily centered when the parts are assembled. The other side of the casting C is provided with a fiange D' extending beyond the hub on the casing E and resting against the same, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the two flanges thus confining between them the barrel and its inclosing-case. Two small flanges cI likewise project from the casting C on either side of the iiange D, for the purpose of enabling the ready application of the casting C to the window-frame, as hereinafter more fully described. This casting C, which forms the base on which the other parts are carried, is made of the side walls from which the flan ges D and D project, end Walls forming continuations of the side walls, and bottom plate, the latter of which is perforated or slotted to permit the sash-engagin g device on the springbarrel to project therethrough for engaging the sash, as clearly seen in Figs. l, 2, 3, and 7.

Extending from the bottoni of the casting C in the same plane are two lianges c, through which suitable fastening devices, such as screws, are passed into the window-frame for securing the balance in place thereon. At right angles to the bottoni two guide-flanges or lips c' exten d, slightly offset from the face of the iiange D, thus providing a recess in which the unlocking lever-arm L operates, These two lips are provided for the purpose of enabling the ready application of the device to the window-frame without necessitating accurate measurements, this being quickly and readily accomplished by simply setting the device, when assembled, into the recess in the win dow-frame with the lips aligning and flush with the box-strip in which the sash slides.

The casting l, constructed as described, forms a shallow box or shell, in which the casing E inelosin g the sprin g-barrel is adj ustably held by means of the bolts K passing loosely through holes in the bottom plate of the casting C, and through similar holes in the projecting flanges c of the casing E, the outer ends ofthe bolts being screw-threaded and provided with nuts n, between which nuts and :flanges e coil-springs l are confined, tending to press the casing E and the spring-barrel carried thereby toward the bottom of the casting and toward the window-sash, and between the flanges e and bottom of casting C another set of coil-springs c is confined, tending to press the casing .E in the opposite direction. By screwing or unscrewing the bolts K in the nuts n, the spring-barrel may be readily, easily, and delicately adjusted with v relation to the sashu Upon the periphery of the spring-barrel F, integral therewith, I provide a spherical tooth-gear H adapted to mesh with the corresponding rack R on the window-sash, and on one edge of said barrel I also preferably provide a series of teeth 7i, with which teeth the locking spring-pawl S engages to hold the spring-barrel against rotation, This springpawl S is preferably a leaf-spring, one end of which is arranged to rest against the inner wall of the casing E, the other end being slightly bent, forming a tooth to engage the teeth h on the barrel. This spring is confined between the ends thereof by the lip G, formed by two notches on the periphery of the casing E, the body portion of the spring passing through the notches and over the outside of the lip. XVithin the spring-barrel is a coil-spring I, the outer end of which is confined in a recess or groove in the inner peripher y of the barrel, and the other end being confined in a similar `groove in the fixed hub '.l, so that as the window-sash is lowered the rack R engages with the spherical teeth on thc barrel, whereby the latter will wind up the said spring, thus storing up energy sufficient to operate the balance in raising the window.

ln order to operate the pawl S to release the spring-barrel, when it is-desired to raise or lower the sash, I use a lever-arm L pivoted to one side of the axis of the barrel at i: on the fiange D and having one end bent so as to engage with the under side of the pawl S as the projecting end of the lever-arm is pulled downward or upward, thus unlocking the pawl and permitting the sash to be easily raised or lowered, the energy stored up in the spring facilitating the raising and causing it to respond to the slightest pressure in raising the window. vVhen the arm Lis released, the spring-pawl instantly forces its end down and drops into engagement with the teeth lz, again locking the spring-barrel. It will be observed that this lever-arm works between the two flanges c' in the casting C, the said iianges being raised above the surface of the iiange D a distance equal to the thickness of the lever-arm L, thus forming a recess between the face of the iiange D and the side of the recess in the window-frame. The arm l. is normally out of operative engagement with the spring-pawl S, so that the pawl always locks the window against raising or lowering until the arm is operated to lift it out of contact with the teeth 7L on the spring-barrel, the outer or projecting arm of the unlockinglever being provided with a suitable cord or chain, if desired, or other convenient means may be attached thereto for the purpose oi' operating it.

One or more of my sash-balances may bc used as desired, according to the size and weight of the window, and they may be placed on opposite sides of the window-frame, the parts all being reversible and interchangeable, so that the, balance may be placed on the right or left hand side of' the window. Vhen only one balance is used, it is desirable to provide a friction-roller, such as 'W. within a recess at the lower part of the sash, which roller overcomes any friction of the sash on the frame. Vhile these rollers are only shown on one side, they may of course be applied to both sides, if desired.

In order to apply the sash-balance for operating the upper sash, for example, the balance, with the parts assembled as shown in the drawings, is set into the window-frame opposite the lower rail of the upper sash, so that the lower bolt K comes just below the said lower rail, in order that a screw-driver ma)Y be inserted into the slot in the bolt-head to effect the adjustment of the spring-barrel with relation to the rack on the window-sash, and the upper adj Listing-bolt is adjusted in the same manner after the sash is lowered.

If it is desired to apply the balance to the lower sash, it is set in the window-frame nearly opposite the upper rail of the lower sash with the upper adjusting screw-bolt above the said rail, thus allowing the screwdriver to enter the slot in the head thereof for the purpose of adjusting the spring-barrel in the manner before stated. The sash is then raised and the other screw-bolt adjusted in the same manner.

The balance for operating a car-window sash is set into the frame near the upper rail of the sash to allow the window to be raised sufficiently high. After the sash is iitted to the frame and provided with a groove to permit the insertion of the metal strip forming IOC) Lrl

the rack in the sash without binding on the frame the strip is secured to the side of the sash, so that the centers of the teeth in the strip will center with the teeth. on the springbarrel.

In 5 I have shown a modified forni of spring-barrel in which the said barrel is composed of two parts, a ring F', which is provided with the operating-teeth II in its outer periphery, to which ring is secured a cupshaped disk F" provided on its outer periph cry with the teeth 7L and from the bottom of which projects the spindle P, the outer side of the disk bottoni being provided with the annular projection q, as in the construction shown in Figs. l to The two parts F and F"I are secured together by suitable screws, a rubber or other iieXible washer yr being confined between the meeting edges.

In Fi 6 I have shown a common rack and pinion It and II, which may, if desired, be used instead of the spherical tooth rack and pinion before described.

In Fig. 7 I have shown the engaging device between the spring-barrel and sash as composed of a iiexible tire Il, of rubber or'the like, which meshes with a groove in the window-sash. In this construction the springbarrel is preferably made of two parts x and y, the latter of which carries the teeth h and spindle I, while the former carries the hub T and is arranged to clamp the tire Il between aprojecting flange thereon and a flange on the part y. These two parts are held together by screws if, a space between the parts e and l permitting of a limited adjustment of the parts with respect to each other by means of the screws 7.'. This elastic tire will ad j ust itself to a limited amount of shrinkage of the window-sash, and can be further adj usted with reference to the sash by increasing or diniinishin g the side pressure on the tire through the medium of the screws k, a coinpression of the tire laterally effecting a radial expansion oi the tire to take up shrinkage, and a diminution of such pressure eii'ecting a radial contraction to compensate for swelling.

W'hile I have shown the spring-pawl as norinally disengaged with the unlocking-arm, for locking and unlocking the device, I do not wish to be confined to this specific form of mechanism, I may adapt any suitable locking device to the various forms shown n--such, i'for example, as the locking mechanism shown in my prior patent, No. 91,762, dated February lli, 1503.

It should be observed that to wind up the spring-barrel tothe proper tension for balaneing the sash the sash is put into the frame at the top and pulled down, the engaging device on the barrel meshing with the rack on the sash and causing the barrel to turn so as to wind up the spring I. Should one such opera-tion be insufficient to secure the proper tension it may be repeated as often as neces sary, taking the sash out and inserting it at the top ot the traine each time.

It should be noted that the lever foroper- Y ating the lower sash of ordinary windows and a railway-car sash is always within easy reach of the hand, and the pawl and lever maybe reversed and interchanged for either adownward or upward movement of the arm, as the case may require; but in the case ot the upper sash it is diierent, for when the lower sash is raised ever so little the lever on the upper balance is placed out of reach of the hand and it must be operated by a cord or chain led upward by suitable means on the frame and down to within easy reach of the hand, the movement of the lever being upward. In all windows the parting boxstrip in frame between the two sashes makes a space between the upper rail of lower sash and upper sash-rail or the two meetingrails.7 The rails of the upper sash do not touch the upper lever-arm, and as the extreme-width line of lower meeti1ig-rail is the center line of the parting box-strip there is a space between the lower meeting-rail andl upper sash sufficient for the upper-balance leverarm to operate in without being touched or interferred with by the lower sashrails and the free movement of cord or chain and leverarm to unlock upper sash-balance. This space is always equal to more than half the width of the parting box-strip in frame. Another important feature is this: For instance, where more than one balance on one sash is required, one on each side (right and left) of sash, if a locking arrangement was in operation on each side of each sash it would require two hands to opera-te the two unlocking-levers, and one would require a third hand to raise and lower the sash; but to obviate this only one locking device is required in operation, one on one side and the pawl and lever arranged to be inoperative on the other side, excepting only when the sash is out of frame for rewinding, for when one side is locked the other side is held eiitectually as if both locking devices were in operation.

I claim as my inventionl. The herein-described sash-balance for windows, consisting of a casting or shell adapted to be secured in a recess in the window-frame, a barrel rotatively mounted in said casting, and provided with means on its periphery for engaging the side of the window-sash, a spring-pawl normally locking the barrel against rotation, and a lever-arm pivoted to one side of the axis of the barrel normally out of engagement with said pawl and arranged to lift the pawl out of engagement with the barrel, substantially as described.

IOO

IIO

2. The herein-described sash-balance for windows, consisting of a shell or cast-ing provided With guide-lips on each end in alignment With the box-strip of the window-frame, a spring-barrel rotatably mounted in the casting and having an engaging device on its periphery for engaging the side of a Windowsash, with mechanism for locking and unlocking the sash-balance, substantially as described.

3. The hereii'i-described sash-balance, consisting of a shell or casting adapted to be secured Within a recess in a Windo\vf`rame, a spring-operated barrel, rotatably mounted in said casting, the said barrel having on its periphery an engaging device for engaging with the side of a Window-sash, and a set of locking-teeth, a paWl normally in engagement with said teeth, and a lever normally out off operative engagement with the pawl for lifting and holding said pawl out of contact with said teeth, to permit the barrel to rotate, substantially as described.

el. In a sash-balance, the combination with the Windowframe provided with a recess, of a casting or shell having flanges projecting Within the recess, a spring-operated barrel rotatably and adj ustably mounted between the flanges and having on its periphery a device for engaging the side of the Window-sash and a set of teeth for locking the barrel, a spring-pawl normally in contact with the teeth to lock said barrel, and a lever-arm pivoted to one side of the axis of the barrel upon one of the flanges of the casting and adapted to raise the paWl and unlock the barrel, substantially as described.

5. In a sash-balance, the combination with the window-frame having a recess therein, of a casting or shell provided with a set of flanges secured tothe frame, and a pair of parallel fianges projecting at right an gles thereto within the recess of the frame, a spring-operated barrel mounted in the casting between said flanges, a pair of guide-lips extending from the casting so as to be quickly aligned with the box-strip of the windowframe, the inner portions of said lips being slightly raised above the shell side and barrel-supporting flange forming a recess, a lever pivoted upon the barrel-supportin g fiange having one end extending through the recesses between the lips and the other end into the recess of the frame, a paWl normally locking the barrel against rotation, with which pawl the said lever-arm is adapted to engage and lift it out of contact With the barrel, substantially as described.

6. In a sash-balance, the combinationwith the shell or casting having parallel barrelsupporting flanges therein, one of said flan ges being provided with a centering-recess on its inner side, an annular casing closed on one side provided With a centrally-proj ecting hu b and adjustably mounted in the casting, acup-shaped barrel having a spindle fitting in the said hub and provided on its closed side with a circular projection meshing With the recess on the supporting-flange, snbstantiall v as described.

7. In a sash-balance, the combination with the shell or casting C provided with parallel flanges extending from the base thereof, an operating barrel supported between said flanges, and projecting through the base or' the shell E to engage the side of the Windowsash, a cup-shaped shell inclosing Jdie barrel` a spring-pawl having its body portion confined by notches on the periphery of the shell E and its free end normally holding the barrel against rotation, a lever pivoted on one of the flanges, one end of said lever being normally out of operative engagement with the paWl and adapted to be brought into contact therewith to disengage the pawl from the barrel, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence ci' tWo subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT K. BROWN. Titnesses A. S. Novias, GEO. IVrLMo'r. 

